Hollow sprag

ABSTRACT

A torque-transmitting sprag, otherwise solid in cross section, has one or more openings extending substantially throughout the axial length thereof between shaped working surfaces at which it engages coaxial clutch races, and front and rear surfaces of the sprag. The opening reduces the sprag weight, governs the location of its center of gravity and, more importantly, enables the sprag to flatten slightly at the race surfaces, under radial load, thereby reducing unit internal stress and, in reducing mass, permitting higher efficient operating speeds. The opening may be variously located in regard to sprag trunnion means, if present, or to the sprag&#39;&#39;s working and other surfaces.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Thaddeus F. Zlotek Center Line, Mich. [21] Appl. No. 2,078 v [22] Filed Jan. 12, 1970 [45] Patented Oct. 19, 1971 [73] Assignee Formsprag Company Warren, Mich.

541 HOLLOW SPRAG 5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 192/41 A, 192/451 [51] Int. Cl. Fl6d 41/07 [50] Field of Search 192/41 A, 45.1

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,711,238 6/1955 Szady 192/451 3/1960 Dodge 2,930,461 l92/45.1 3,302,761 1/1967 Zlotek 192/45.l FOREIGN PATENTS 875,357 8/1961 Great Britain 192/45.l 1,254,264 1/1961 France l92/45.l

Primary Examiner-Allan D. Hermann Attorney-Whittemore, l-lulbert & Belknap ABSTRACT: A torque-transmitting sprag, otherwise solid in cross section, has one or more openings extending substantially throughout the axial length thereof between shaped working surfaces at which it engages coaxial clutch races, and front and rear surfaces of the spragv The opening reduces the sprag weight, governs the location of its center of gravity and, more importantly, enables the sprag to flatten slightly at the race surfaces, under radial load, thereby reducing unit internal stress and, in reducing mass, permitting higher efficient operating speeds. The opening may be variously located in regard to sprag trunnion means, if present, or to the sprags working and other surfaces.

United States Patent Inventor Hiroto Masai Toyota, Japan Appl. No. 884,604 Filed Dec. 12, 1969 Patented Oct. 19, 1971 Assignee Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Kariya, Japan Priority Dec. 21, 1968 Japan 43/93885 FLUID DRIVE COUPLING 5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 192/58 R, I92/ 82 T Int. Cl ..Fl6d 31/08, F 1 6d 3 5/00 Field of Search l92/58 A, 58 B, 5 8 C, 82 T References Cited Primary ExaminerAllan D. Hermann AttorneyPierce, Scheffler & Parker ABSTRACT: A fluid-coupling device of temperature responsive type for automotive use, wherein fluid chamber means constituted by an output member is divided by a partition plate supported by the output member into a fluid-working chamber carrying an input member therein and a fluid reservoir or storage chamber, the partition plate radially outward comprising an impact portion, a discharge hole in front thereof and an inlet opening in back thereof relative to the direction of the inlet hole or discharge opening and being covered by a valve arm disposed axially and operated thermostatically so as to control the volume of viscous fluid supplied to the driving rotor. 

1. A sprag comprising a body having pairs of radially spaced and circumferentially spaced surfaces, at least one surface of the former being engageable wedgingly with a clutch race, said body having solid section column portions of its cross section located inwardly of said circumferentially spaced surfaces, which portions border at least two yieldability-imparting holes spaced substantially from one another by material of said body integrally connecting said column portions, said column portions being continuous in extent in a direction generally radial of the sprag body but varying in sectional thickness, thus affording continuous radial column strength to the sprag coupled with radial yieldability under load, as contributed by said holes.
 2. The sprag of claim 1, in which said holes extend a major portion of the axial length of said body.
 3. The sprag of claim 1, in which said holes extend throughout the axial length of said body.
 4. The sprag of claim 1, in which said holes extend throughout the axial length of said body and parallel to said radially spaced surfaces.
 5. The sprag of claim 4, in which there are at least three of said holes separated from one another in the radial and circumferential senses. 